foam plate printmaking

I use low tech and non-toxic ways of printing like, relief printing and gelatin plate monotype printmaking.

These processes are easily accessible in a home based studio. And they are great ways to get into printmaking with out needing a big studio or press.

For that reason, many people who have not made prints before often break into printmaking with some of these methods. Inks and brayers are often a new expense and tool.

That is why I want to take a moment and explain why using the right inks and brayers for a particular printmaking process make the process a little easier.

• Inks are designed to be wet and workable for a longer period of time than acrylic paint.
• Inks are designed to be rolled out and worked with a brayer
• Inks have stickiness that lends them to in indirect nature of printmaking

Printmaking is an indirect method of mark making. This means that the ink is often applied to a plate and then pressed on to the paper. Compared to a more direct approach in painting when the paint goes directly from brush to canvas.

Things to consider when choosing an ink:

• Oil or water based? Water is much easier to work with and often a good choice for home based printing
• Printing on paper or fabric? Ink made for your substrate will always work best. Fabric ink often needs to be more fluid
• Ease of clean up
• Cost and ability to use the inks for your other projects

That last factor is why many newbies want to use acrylic paint. The trouble with many acrylic craft paints is that they are too fluid to hold the mark and dry too fast to make the transfer of ink.

However, some kinds of impressions are possible with acrylic craft paint you just need to work fast and know the limits of the paint.

I often advise that you buy a tube of black ink that is specifically designed for the process and the right kind of brayer.  That way you can test out the process before you invest in a new line of inks.

For example, I like the speedball water based block printing ink for relief printing and gelatin monotype printmaking. It stays alive and workable. Which makes it easy to transfer from plate to paper.

If you would like to explore relief printing with soft foam plates and water based inks, then check out the details and join us in the online printmaking workshop.

I am exploring the possibilities of printing with soft relief plates and discovering new ideas each day!

First I am working small but then combining the experimental impression to make bigger prints. The supports risk taking, because I don’t need every impression to be perfect. I can pick and choose the small images to be combined into the larger image.

I love to work in a way that allows me to experiment and try new methods. If I am too afraid to make mistakes them I think my prints become dull and repetitive.

I am testing and experimenting with different kinds of foam and how to get them to hold the marks that I make in them.

I like to use recycled produce trays but the sticky back craft foam gives a nice smooth transfer of ink.

I am excited to combine the possible marks of these tools and plates into a unique expression.

If you would like to explore this non-toxic and low tech method of relief printing, then check out the details on the printmaking workshop page and join us. – The Soft Plate Relief Printing workshop starts soon.

Gray scale values can be boring to study if you love color and texture and details.

But it is probably the most important element of design to understand and use in your art making.

With mixed media printmaking and lots of colors and layers, it is easy to end up with one middle value and not much contrast.

I always chant to myself:

• Save some very light whites or
• Add a dark black to make it pop

Another tool that I use is that I squint at the piece to see if I can see those extreme lights or darks. Or do I see only a middle range of values. Squinting is a quick way to simplify and see the extremes.

Try squinting a the pieces above or at some of your work and see what you notice about light to dark value changes.

Oh another fun way to increase you value seeing skills it to squint at masterpieces that you admire. Ask, do these masterpieces have a range of value from very light to very dark?

If you would like to explore printmaking – check out the current online printmaking classes.

I am excited about the soft plate relief printing class that starts soon.

I have started gathering all my inks, plates, papers and tools to play with printmaking. I often have to remind myself to keep it simple. It is so easy to want to put all that inspires me into one set of prints. But that usually ends up with an ugly mess.

Even with the print above, I had to rein myself in and keep it simple by:

• Limit the colors
• Repeat the circle motif
• And slightly modify the circle image to create just enough variety

I took a chance with the gold and I think it works. It adds a bit of variety and darker values.

If you would like to explore this low tech method of printing then check out the details on the printmaking workshop page and join us.

One way to get making some art is to just gather a few tools and just begin.

Less is more in this case. But if you have more tools and supplies than you actually need that is ok – just begin with what you already know.

You can even pull out an older print or picture as stimulation.

Then be willing to just play. That means:

1. Be willing to try new things
2. Make mistakes
3. Make ugly art
4. Be open to surprises
5. Do something you know and
6. Then let go of expectations
7. Oh!!! and let it be fun
8. Can you embrace the little kid in you?

This is one way to move beyond whatever is stopping you and start making!

TRY it!!